Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome the wonderful Sharon K Owen to the blog today. We are looking forward to learning a little more about Sharon and her book Thicker Than Water.
Q1) Please tell us a little about yourself
Sharon: I published my first novel, Thicker Than Water (Brands Crossing Series) the first in a series of contemporary romantic suspense novels set in Brands Crossing, a mythical community in North Texas. This series chronicles the lives of the Kincaids, a prominent family in this small town, and focuses on a mystery that extends back to the mid-eighteenth century and the young Texas Republic in July of 2011.
I am also a university professor, an on-line creative writing instructor and a consultant on copy-editing, social media and self-publishing projects.
I share a cottage with my two cats, Matt and Cinders, in a small lake-side community near Fort Worth Texas and am finishing my second novel in the Brands Crossing series, Whatever Goes Around, which will be available in March of 2012.
Q2) Tell us a typical writing day for you
Sharon: Oh boy, now I’ll be exposed in all my eccentricities. Okay here goes.
I’m a night owl, so I’m usually at my computer writing from around 2 am until 4:30 or 5 am. This is a really creative time for me usually.
Then, I’ll head back to bed for one of my frequent “naps” (I’ve learned the technique of taking 2 or 3 periodic naps during the day from my cats).
By 7:30 or 8:00 I’m back at my computer handling email, class work (I teach composition and communications at an online university), checking out favorite blogs.
After completing various errands and chores and another nap. I’m back at the computer from around 2:00 pm – 6:30. Again, handling email and class work and reviewing writing from early morning session. I usually make some notes on the work I’ve done on my novel.
Finally, after an hour or so of reading or watching favorite TV shows (recorded so that I can watch without commercials when I choose) I’m back at the computer for one more session before heading for bed at around 10:30.
Q3) Have you always wanted to be an author or what made you become an author?
Sharon: I’ve always known I was a story teller and a creator of imaginary universes. From my first memories as a child, I created stories in which I was, of course, the star, the heroine, the rescuer. Later, I started writing the stories down but seldom shared them with anyone else. Eventually, I had the courage to put them out there in the universe for others to make a decision on their worthiness
I love to create characters and put them in situations that intrigue, inspire and entertain me. Then, I write them down and hope they will have the same effect on my readers.
I write the kind of books I like to read. I always want to entertain my readers and make their reading experience a positive one. I always hope my readers enjoy the book and feel better after they read it.
Q4) Tell us a little about your book Thicker Than Water (will add book cover at posting)
Sharon: Thicker Than Water (Brands Crossing Series) is the first in a series of contemporary romantic suspense novels set in Brands Crossing, a mythical community in North Texas. This series chronicles the lives of the Kincaids, a prominent family in this small town, and focuses on a mystery that extends back to the mid-eighteenth century and the young Texas Republic.
Thicker Than Water: As a child, KATE O’DONNELL spends summers at her grandparents’ estate in Brands Crossing where she and her girl cousins battle make-believe monsters, rescue endangered victims and a save a mythical kingdom. At twenty-five Kate is a singer/songwriter living in Nashville and pursuing a promising relationship with computer game designer PHILLIP NORWOOD. There, her only battles are fought in Aidenne’s Revenge, Phillip’s online fantasy game based on her childhood adventures. With her grandfather’s sudden death from injuries he sustained in a suspicious car crash, Kate is forced to make a choice. Will she remain in Nashville to focus on Phillip and her music career? Or will she move back to Brands Crossing and honor the promise she made to her grandfather that she would investigate the mystery surrounding his death? Family trumps career and romance and Kate heads back to Texas where the monsters, victims and endangered kingdoms are all too real. In an attempt to protect Kate from danger, Phillip joins her quest and helps her search for incriminating documents, investigate a centuries-old family feud and confront an anonymous rose-bearing admirer who stalks Kate in both real and virtual universes. Thicker Than Water is the first in a series of novels set in Brands Crossing, Texas. It chronicles the lives of the Kincaids, a prominent family in this mythical town, and focuses on a mystery that extends back to the mid-eighteenth century and the young Texas Republic.
Q5) How did you come up with the idea for Thicker Than Water?
Sharon: As I did when I was a child, I create a lot of stories in my head to entertain myself. The idea for Thicker Than Water originated when I started thinking about the close ties among members of a family and how those connections remain even after the individuals are leading separate lives. Kate O’Donnell, the protagonist, especially intrigued me because she is such a complex character. A talented singer/songwriter/musician, she moves from Nashville at 18, hoping to establish a successful musical career without depending on financial or social assistance from her influential family back in Texas. When a family crisis arises, however, she doesn’t hesitate to leave a promising career and romance in Nashville and return home to support her family.
Although I love music and am a star performer in the shower or my car, I lack the talent to make a career of that. Kate has that talent out the wazoo. So I can vicariously enjoy the rush of performing through her.
Q6) Will we see more of these characters in any future books?
Sharon: There will be several other books in this series and all the characters will make return appearances. Each book will have a different viewpoint character (from the original cast) and his/her story will tell more of the history and current situations in the Kincaid family of Brands Crossing.
Q7) What is your current work in progress?
Sharon: The second novel, Whatever Goes Around, will be published in March of 2012.
Whatever Goes Around (Brands Crossing Series): CLAIRE KINCAID is the self-appointed fixer of all problems in her family. Despite her siblings’ and cousins’ beliefs that they are capable of managing their own lives, Claire knows they really need her guidance and offers it at every opportunity. When she discovers that sinister forces are disrupting her sister Madelaine’s and her cousin Ann Marie’s personal and professional lives, she doesn’t hesitate to take steps to set things straight. Unfortuanately, she underestimates the enemies she confronts and unknowingly puts herself and her family in danger. Forced to rely on the help of family and friends, she has to reexamine her long-held belief that she always knows best
Q8) Best piece of advice you would give to a buddy author?
Sharon: Read. Read. Read. The most important things for a writer is a love of books and the ability to tell a story. Everything else can be learned. I believe the most successful authors write about what they know and in a genre they enjoy reading. They should also take creative writing classes and join a good writing workshop.
Q9) Have to ask because I am nosey. What is in your to be read pile that you are dying to read next?
Sharon: I love the Holly Winter Dog Lover Mysteries by Susan Conant and I have several I haven’t read yet on my list of “next to reads”.
I’m also looking forward to the new Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb Novels which will be published soon: The Last Boyfriend (May 2012) The Witness (April 2012) and Celebrity in Death (February 2012).
Q10) Is there anything else you would to add?
Sharon: Thank you, Kelly, so much for the opportunity to answer these questions.
I hope all your readers will check out my blog, website and other social network pages.
My books (paperback and E book) may be purchased at:
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Thicker-Than-Water-Brands-Crossing/dp/1453772936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325034364&sr=8-1
Until February 29th my Ebook can be downloaded for $2.99 at Amazon.com
Kelly: Sharon, again huge thank you for stopping by the blog to day to chat about you and your books. I hope the readers enjoyed.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!
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